Domestic range



C. W. TILUS DOMESTIC RANGE Dec. 13, 1966 Filed Jan. 27, 1964 INVENTORYFig. l.

WITNESSES Carl W. Tilus C. W. TILUS Dec. 13, 1966 DOMESTIC RANGE 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1964 Dec. 13, 1966 Filed Jan. 27, 1964 c.w. TILUS DOMESTIC RANGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.7.

United States Patent Office 3 ,291,967 Patented Dec. 13, 1966 3,291,967DOMESTIC RANGE Carl W. Tilus, Washington Township, Ohio, assignor toWestinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Filed Jan. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 340,210 2 Claims. (Cl.219392) This invention relates to domestic ranges and particularly to adomestic range wherein the surface heating units are mounted on ahorizontally slidable platform.

One of the more popular types of domestic range on the market todayprovides for mounting the surface units on a slidable platformpermitting the units to be enclosed, or partially enclosed, in thecabinet when not in use. This arrangement is generally found incombination with an oven located substantially at eye level to provideconvenient access to the oven enclosure. With the oven located asdescribed, and the surface unit disposed at a convenient height, thereis generally a space between the bottom of the oven and the surfaceunits when in the stored position. This space has heretofore been usedprimarily for storage of kitchen utensils of a shelf, or shelves,provided for such purpose.

It is an object of the present invention to better utilize the spaceabove the surface units in the stored position, by providing a warmingshelf which is useful in maintaining cooked dishes at a proper servingtemperature, as well as for warming pastries and other foods where it isdesirable to warm without cooking.

Another object of the invention is to provide a warming shelf for adomestic range of the type described, which shelf is heated by the rangesurface units.

A further object of the invention is to provide a warming shelf which issimple in construction, easy to manufacture, and readily adaptable todomestic ranges of the type described.

These objects of the invention, and other objects which will becomeapparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing a novelshelf structure disposed above the range platform together with means totransfer vheat energy from a surface unit located on the platform to thearea adjacent the shelf member when the surface units are in the storedposition. In addition, a thermostatic element is provided in the warmingarea and so located in the control circuit of the surface unit 23 toprovide for controlling. the temperature of the surface unit during thewarming process.

For a better understanding of the invention reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view showing a combination range andoven having the invention employed therein;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the range structure of FIG. 1,and having a portion of the structure broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2,showing details of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view taken along the line IVIV of FIG. 3,showing in detail a mechanism employed in the range structure;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4 showing themechanism of FIG. 4 in the operated position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic electrical diagram showing a circuit employed inthe invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic electrical diagram showing an alternate circuitwhich may be employed in the invention.

While the invention has been shown as illustrated in a range and ovencombination, and will be so described, the principles of the inventionare broadly applicable to countertop ranges of the platform type whichare movable from a cooking position, wherein the surface units areexposed, to a storage position within a cabinet.

Referring to the drawings, especially FIG. 1, there is shown a rangeoven combination 10 having wall structure including a horizontal shelfmember 11. The wall structure of the range 10 further includes a pair ofside walls 12 and 13, and a rear wall 14, which abuts the shelf member11 and serves to support the member on three sides. In the embodimentshown, the lower portion of the oven provides a top wall 16, and a pairof glass closure members 17 and 18 are provided between, and slidablysupported by, the top wall and the shelf member 11 to provide .a heatingoven enclosure above the shelf 11.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a platform member 19 is slidablysupported below the shelf member 11 and is movable from a first orextreme rear position, as shown in FIG. 2 to a second extreme forwardposition as shown in FIG. 1. The slidable platform member 19 has ahorizontal top surface 21 which is provided with a plurality of surfaceheating units including rear units 22 and 23. It will be noted that withthe slidable member 19 disposed as shown in FIG. 1, in the extremeforward position, the surface units are exposed for the heating of pans,skillets or other kitchen utensils. In the position shown in FIG. 2, therear surface units 22 and 23 are disposed beneath the horizontal shelfmember 11 and are in a stored position.

In a domestic range unit of the type mentioned, it is often desirable toprovide a safety means for preventing the units being placed in a storedposition while the controls remain in the on position. In the presentembodiment, such a device is best shown in FIGS. 3-5. A safety switch24- is mounted at the forward part of structural side wall 13 and has aplunger 26 which is actuated by rotation of a pivotal member 27 alsomounted to side wall 13. A tab 28 is disposed on the slidable platform19 and positioned to contact the pivotal member 27 when the platform 19is disposed in the extreme forward position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.With the platform 19 located in a position other than the extremeforward position, the plunger 26 remains extended as shown in FIG. 4,and the circuit to the two rear surface unit switches remains open. Withthe platform member 19 in the extreme forward position, as shown in FIG.5, the plunger is actuated and the circuit to the rear surface units isclosed as is best shown in FIG. 6, and described in the followingaragraphs.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the shelf member 11 and adjacentstructure are of a novel construction to provide for heating articlesplaced on the shelf. The shelf member 11 comprises an upper sheet 29 anda bottom sheet 31 having a pair of rectangular plates 32 and 33 disposedtherebetween. The bottom sheet 31 has a plurality of holes 34 locatednear its periphery and adjacent the plates 32 and 33. A row of holes 36is provided adjacent the forward edge of the top sheet 29 and providescommunication between the space beneath the top sheet and the enclosuredirectly above the shelf member 11. With the surface units 22 and 23located beneath the shelf 11, the aforementioned structure provides heattransfer means for heat produced by the surface units. Heat energy fromthe surface unit 22 or 23 is transferred to the top of the shelf 11through the openings 34 in the sheet 31 and through the holes 36 in thesheet 29 by convection, and by conduction through the rectangular plates32 and 33, which are manufactured of a material having high heatconductivity, for example, an aluminum or steel alloy.

In addition to the above-described heat transfer means, slotted openings37 are provided below the surface 21 at the rear of the slidableplatform member 19 for escapement of heat from the interior of theplatform. A rearwardly dished portion 38 of the rear wall 14 extendsdownward, and adjacent the openings 37, to provide a passage for heat ofconvection to a plurality of slotted openings 39 provided in the wall14. A cycling thermostat 41 is disposed adjacent the dished portion 38of the wall 14 and in heat transfer relation therewith to respond to thetemperature of the air adjacent the shelf member 11. The thermostat 41is set for cycling the electrical energy to the surface unit 22 or 23 ata predetermined temperature to provide adequate heating of the air aboveshelf 11, and is located in the electrical circuit as best shown in FIG.6.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic electrical diagramused with the present invention, having portions and details omittedwhere are not essential to a full understanding of the invention. Therear surface units 22 and 23 are connected to a standard 236 volt powersource through a suitable control device in the usual manner. Such adevice is explained in detail in United States Patent No. 2,993,976issued to Robert L. Moore, and assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention. In employing this device in the present invention, theadjustable control 42 is provided with a wattage control cycling elementbetween the terminals 42a and 42d and a heater disconnecting switchbetween the terminals 42c and 42a and a pilot light disconnecting switchbetween the terminals 42c and 42b. The adjustable control 43 is likewiseprovided with a wattage control cycling element between the terminals43c and 43d and a heater disconnecting switch between the terminals 430and 43a and a pilot light disconnecting switch between terminals 430 and43b. A manually adjustable thermostat 41 is connected to the ground lineN to com plete the warming circuit.

With the circuit connected as shown, the surface units 22 and 23 areconnected across the line L2 and the ground line N through the cyclingthermostat 41. When the controls are turned to a setting which may bedesignated on the control knob as warming, the surface units 22 and 23will heat the area above the shelf member 11, and will be cycled on andoff by the thermostat 41. The bimetallic element employed between thecontacts 43d and 43e or 42d or 422 will remain closed during the heatingprocess, as they are designed to operate on 236 volts and will not heatsufficiently to open on the 118 volt circuit.

In FIG. 7 there is shown an alternate circuit which may be employed withthe present invention. In the circuit shown, the cycling thermostat 41is disposed between the power source provided for L1 and the terminal4311, as in the prior em bodiment. However, the safety interlock switch24 has been omitted from the circuit and the structure eliminated fromthe range construction. With the surface units 22 and 23 removed frombeneath the shelf 11, and in the exposed position, the area adjacent thewarming shelf remains cool and the cycling thermostat 41 remains closed,thereby providing normal operation of the adjustable controls 42 and 43.Should the surface units 22 and 23 be inadvertently moved beneath theshelf 11, the heat generated by the surface units causes operation ofthe cycling thermostat 41, and the surface units operate as warmingunits for the warming shelf producing insufficient heat to harm adjacentstructures. It is, therefore, apparent that the thermostat 41 warmingprocess and as a safety device when used in the circuit as shown.

In the embodiment shown, the warming shelf 11 has been used inconjunction with an eye-level oven, and provided with slidalb le doors17 and 18, thereby providing .an oven enclosure above the shelf. Itshould be apparent, however, that the shelf 11 may be used as a warmingmedium without the closure members 17 and 18, or in a structure providedsolely for the warming of articles without the eye-level oven.

While the invention has been shown in but one form, it will be obviousto those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but issusceptible of valious changes and t acts both as a temperatureresponsive element during the modifications without departing from thespirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

.1. A domestic range comprising;

wall structure including a horizontal shelf member,

.a pair of side walls, a top wall and rear wall defining an ovenenclosure,

a slidable member having a horizontal top surface disposable below saidshelf member,

a plurality of heating units provided on said surface,

said slidajb le member being movable from a first position wherein oneof said surface units is disposed beneath said oven enclosure to asecond position wherein said unit is exposed for surface heatingutensils, and

means for transfer of heat energy from said one heating unit to saidoven enclosure,

whereby said heating unit is a source of heat energy for said ovenenclosure when in said first position and a source of heat energy forheating of utensils when in said second position, said heat transfermeans comprising the combination of said slidable member having anopening located below said top surface and near said one heating unit,

said wall structure defining a duct communicating with said ovenenclosure and said opening, to thereby transfer heat energy to said ovenenclosure by convection.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said shelf member comprises;

a pair of substantially parallel sheets,

and said heat transfer means further comp-rises the combination of ablock of material having good heat conductivity disposed between saidplates and over said one heating unit when said heating unit is in saidfirst position for transfer of heat from the lower side of said shelf tosaid oven enclosure by conduction, and

said sheets each having a plurality of holes therein for the transfer ofheat from the lower side of said shelf member into said oven enclosureby convection.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,936,215 11/1933Speaker 219454 2,063,407 12/1936 Smith 219398 X 2,526,476 10/1950 Ham219292 2,798,930 7/1957 Frost 219454 X 3,051,819 8/ 1962 Smith 219-444References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,963,281 6/1934Rojers. 2,099,440 11/ 1937 Hardwick.

RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner,

R. F- STAUBLY, A si ant Exam n r.

1. A DOMESTIC RANGE COMPRISING; WALL STRUCTURE INCLUDING A HORIZONTALSHELF MEMBER, A PAIR OF SIDE WALLS, A TOP WALL AND REAR WALL DEFINING ANOVEN ENCLOSURE, A SLIDABLE MEMBER HAVING A HORIZONTAL TOP SURFACEDISPOSABLE BELOW SAID SHELF MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF HEATING UNITSPROVIDED ON SAID SURFACE, SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER BEING MOVABLE FROM AFIRST POSITION WHEREIN ONE OF SAID SURFACE UNITS DISPOSED BENEATH SAIDOVEN ENCLOSURE TO A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID UNIT IS EXPOSED FORSURFACE HEATING UTENSILS, AND MEANS FOR TRANSFER OF HEAT ENERGY FROMSAID ONE HEATING UNIT TO SAID OVEN ENCLOSURE, WHEREBY SAID HEATING UNITIS A SOURCE OF HEAT ENERGY FOR SAID OVEN ENCLOSURE WHEN IN SAID FIRSTPOSITION AND A SOURCE OF HEAT ENERGY FOR HEATING OF UTENSILS WHEN INSAID SECOND POSITION, SAID HEAT TRANSFER MEANS COMPRISING THECOMBINATION OF